I am getting a tummy tuck Monday April 14th and my doctor is just now having some concern about doing liposuction around my port area. Has anyone had lipo around their port and a tummy tuck, or either or? Now he has me a little nervous. I am trying to get my lapband doctor to give him a call but I don't know if he will have time before Monday to call him. Any advice is helpful. Thanks,

:sad_smile: Wendy

I have asked this very question and didn't get an exact response. I am hoping for a TT later this year and would like lipo.

I imagine that it is not going to be an easy procedure. It is one thing to avoid the port area, because you can pinpoint the port, but the tubing leading to the band. That is what I am worried about.

I am expecting that when I get a TT, there will be no lipo in that area around my port, which just below my sternum.

I look forward to more responses.

Good luck.

I am having a TT on July 3 but not having lipo. My PS told me that when it comes to the port I will most likely have a bit of a bulge around there because she can't get the skin and tissues to thin without risking tissue death because of the lack of blood flow. I never thought of the tubing issue though. I would think that if you are having lipo that you make sure that you go to a surgeon that is familiar with lap-banding. My doc has done several procedures on WLS patients.

It seems like the tubing would be behind the port, that is what I am hoping anyway. I guess we will find out soon. I know that I don't want a extra fat around my port. He has done gastric bypass patients but no lap band patients.

Edited April 11, 200818 yr by wendyr

Interesting. Mine is 4/21. I am hoping my surgeon talks to my PS. He is suppose to.

hi Lani here. Talked to my lapband doctor who also happens to be a PS. Lucky me- (because I worked well and was a good outstanding patient, he is giving me a free tummy tuck- that is no Professional fees but I still have to pay the hospital) My doctor told me, if he would do a tummy tuck, he said that he would have to avoid the port area- because our port might get infectious bacteria that would make us very very sick. I hope this helps. Oh yes, about tummy tuck, yes would love to get it, its for free, but am so freaking scared of PAIN!!!!

My PS said it is just something to be cautious around, that he will include it in my presurgery art work---meaning he will notate it on my belly in writing. He said it is different on each patient, dependent upon where the surgeon placed the port, and how deep it is in the muscle. He does not think mine will cause issue or be extremely visible following surgery. He did say I might end up a bit thicker in the upper region than if it was not a consideration.

He felt the port in a standing position, and again with me lying down, and said he could work around it, and still leave me looking good---I am hoping he is right!!!

Kat

I'm not getting lipo, my ps said that the fat up there is inner fat and he won't be able to lipo it. But then he said if he does need to lipo its not a big deal, he said its just a matter of rolling the machine into the room. My plastic surgeon hasnt' done a band patient yet either. I was VERY concerned about it and he said he would be calling my band dr to discuss things with him. My band dr said the port isn't going to be a problem as long as he just leaves it alone, he said its attached snuggly to the muscle wall and unless he would cut some stitches he's not going to bother it. My band dr also doesnt' think I need my port revised. He said the revised port is actually only about 1/4 inch different anyway.